CELTIC are reportedly closing in on a move for J-League star Yosuke Ideguchi.

Reports in Japan claim Ideguchi, 25, "will be transferred to Celtic" with Gamba Osaka lining up a replacement.

The midfielder is one of three Japanese talents linked with a move to Parkhead under Ange Postecoglou alongside Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate.

And Yahoo Japan report that the move could happen next month as Gamba move for Mitsuki Saito.

Saito, 22, was on loan at Rubin Kazan and will now join Gamba as a replacement for the Celtic-bound Ideguchi.

Earlier this month J-League journalist Dan Orlowitz detailed what Ideguchi could bring to Celtic as he questioned wether he'd even qualify for a work permit.

Quizzed on whether Ideguchi would make it in the Celtic first-tea, the Japan Times reporter told Sky Sports: "I don't know, Ange clearly sees something in him.

"Maybe he saw the amazing goal Ideguchi scored against Australia in the final round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

"But is he a player that can break into the Celtic first team right now? I don't know.

"Is he a player who can even qualify for a work permit in Scotland? That's a very open question right now.

"We don't know if he has the caps or would be able to get an exception.

"If Celtic see him as a project, low risk high reward, if he joins and settles in well he has a lot of upside.

"And I think Celtic are looking at players with a lot of upside who they can invest a little on and get a lot out from."